Course Name: Communication Skills

Course Code: 20UCT-141

IDIOMS
1.Learning Outcome: Demonstrate linguistic competence through accuracy in
grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary.

Learning Content

1.1 Introduction of Idioms

1.2 Idioms
1.3 Exercise
1.4 Summary
1.5 References

Key Terms: Idioms

Introduction of IDIOMS

Idioms are expressions which are having different meaning from the literal one as these help
us describe the situation in more creative way. Sometimes there is reflection of a certain
cultural traditions and personalities in idioms. Lexical usage presents deeper meaning and
understanding of the expression used. For e.g. :- In the sentence- ‘ It is raining by cats and
dogs’ The meaning is not that cats and dogs are falling from sky so the deeper meaning of the
idiom by cats and dogs is that it is raining heavily.

Importance of the usage of idioms in the language:-

 To make our conversation less monotonous by adding idioms

 Helps us to have the better expression of exact same idea in creative and more
efficient way
 Their usage enriches our language making it more impressive
 Helps to say many things in just a few words
 Makes the speaker confident in communicating well
 For improving LSRW skills by understanding and using idiomatic expressions
 IDIOMS:-

Idioms on Food:-
Idioms to describe persons:-

Idioms on birds/animals:-

Idioms on body parts:-

Business Idioms:-
Examples of some idiomatic and non idiomatic sentences:

1. A) There is quarrel between two brothers because of this house.

b) This house is an apple of discord between two brothers.

2.a) He has invited everyone to the party and his wife will keep the house neat and clean by
arranging everything nicely at home.

b) He has invited all and sundry to the party and his wife will keep the house spick and span
with everything in apple pie order.

3. a)She spends her money quickly by spending all her earnings within a fortnight.

b) Money burns a hole in her pocket as she spends all her earnings within a fortnight.

4. a)Our hockey team won the gold medal.

b) Our hockey team came up with flying colours as it won the gold medal.

5. a) Be practical in life don’t go with imaginary schemes.

b) Don’t build castles in the air, be practical in life.

6. a) Mohit has pawned his parents’ property for the sake of money and he has forgotten
about what sacrifices they have done for him and how they have brought him up.

b) Mohit has pawned his parents’ property for the sake of money, he will bite the hand that
fed him.

Exercise 1: Give the meaning and use the following idioms in your sentences

1. To add fuel to the fire

2. Burning question
3. At the eleventh hour
 4. In the good books of
5. To make a clean breast of
6. At sixes and sevens
7. In a nutshell
8. Bring to the table
9. Burn the candle at both ends
10. Make both ends meet
11. Feather one’s nest
12. Pay through the nose
13. Cut the Gordian knot
14. Think outside the box
15. Mind one’s P’s and Q’s
16. Above board
17. Read between the lines
18. Against the clock
19. To be on the same wavelength
20. To beat about the bush

1.4 Summary

 Idioms are the expressions having different meaning from literal meaning
 With the use of idioms language will be figurative

1.5 References :-

Books and links for buying online

Ayto John, Oxford dictionary of English Idioms, Oxford University Press

2009.(www.flipkart.com)

O’Brien Terry, Little Red Book of Idioms and Phrases, Rupa Publications Pvt. New Delhi
2011(www.amazon.in)

Web links for reference

https://www.digitalpolyglot.com/idioms-important-achieve-fluency/

http://www.wordsworthelt.com/blog/importance-teaching-idioms-proverbs-esl-learners/

https://www.bkacontent.com/40-popular-idioms-and-their-meanings/

https://www.fluentu.com/blog/english/english-idioms-6/
E-books (PDF links)

Collins Steven, Practical Everyday English: Advanced Vocabulary, Phrasal Verbs, Idioms
and Expressions; Montserrat Publishing 2008

Wyatt Rawden, Phrasal Verbs and Idioms, A & C Black Publishers Ltd. Thetford ,Norfolk
2006

1.1 Further Readings:

Video Links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqRloBkyqQs